Egg Donation
Egg donation is a crucial component of assisted reproductive technology, offering hope to individuals and couples unable to conceive with their own eggs. The process involves retrieving eggs from a donor, fertilizing them in a laboratory, and transferring the resulting embryos to the recipient’s uterus. Greece, and particularly Athens, has become a leading destination for egg donation, attracting both local and international patients due to its high medical standards and cost-effective treatments.
Laws and Regulations in Greece
Egg donation in Greece is strictly regulated to ensure ethical and medical standards are met. The country offers a well-established legal framework that provides security for both donors and recipients.
Greek law mandates that:
- Egg donation remains anonymous, meaning donors and recipients cannot know each other’s identities. This protects privacy and ensures confidentiality.
- Donors must be between 18 and 35 years old to maximize egg quality and increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.
- Comprehensive medical and genetic screening is required, including tests for infectious diseases and inheritable conditions.
- Compensation is limited to expenses incurred, ensuring that egg donation remains an altruistic act rather than a commercial transaction.
- Recipients can be up to 50 years old, making Greece one of the most inclusive countries for older women seeking fertility treatment.
These regulations create a safe and supportive environment for individuals pursuing egg donation, reinforcing Greece’s reputation as a premier fertility destination.
Who needs egg donation?
Egg donation is recommended for individuals facing various fertility challenges. It is a viable option for:
- Women with premature ovarian failure or age-related infertility who can no longer produce viable eggs.
- Those who carry genetic disorders they do not wish to pass on to their children.
- Women who have experienced multiple failed IVF cycles using their own eggs.
- Individuals who have undergone cancer treatments affecting their ovarian function.
- Same-sex male couples or single men using a surrogate, requiring both donor eggs and a gestational carrier.
Egg donation provides a solution for these individuals, allowing them to achieve their dream of parenthood through IVF treatment.
The Step-by-Step Process
The egg donation process contains five (5) crucial steps, in order to go from a simple gamete to a fully formed pregnancy. In general, people going through an egg donation see their plans come into fruition according to the following steps:
- Screening and donor selection: Before donating eggs, donors undergo thorough medical, genetic, and psychological evaluations. Tests screen for infectious diseases, genetic conditions, and overall reproductive health. Psychological assessments confirm the donor’s understanding of the process. Since Greek law mandates anonymity, recipients do not select their donors. Instead, clinics carefully match donors and recipients based on physical traits, blood type, and medical history.
- Ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval: Approved donors receive hormonal injections for 10 to 14 days to stimulate egg production. Regular ultrasounds and blood tests monitor follicle growth. Once the eggs mature, retrieval takes place under sedation using ultrasound guidance. A thin needle collects the eggs from the ovaries in a 20- to 30-minute procedure. Most donors recover within a day.
- Fertilization and embryo development: The retrieved eggs are fertilized with sperm from the recipient’s partner or a sperm donor using IVF or ICSI techniques. Embryologists monitor embryo development for several days before selecting the highest-quality ones for transfer.
- Uterine preparation and embryo transfer: Recipients take hormonal medications to prepare their uterus for implantation. A thin catheter is used to transfer one or two embryos into the uterus. The procedure is quick, painless, and requires no anaesthesia.
- Pregnancy test and follow-up: A blood test two weeks after the transfer confirms pregnancy. If successful, hormone therapy continues to support early pregnancy, with regular medical follow-ups ensuring healthy gestation.
Egg donation success rates in Greece
Egg donation offers some of the highest success rates in assisted reproduction. Greek fertility clinics report pregnancy rates of 60%–70% per cycle, with cumulative success exceeding 80% after multiple attempts. Factors influencing success include:
- The age and health of the donor, as younger donors produce higher-quality eggs.
- The recipient’s uterine health, ensuring optimal conditions for implantation.
- The quality of sperm used in fertilization, which can impact embryo development.
- The laboratory conditions and expertise of the embryologists handling the fertilization and embryo culture.
Due to these favourable factors, many individuals choose Greece for egg donation, benefiting from high success rates and world-class medical care.
Why Choose Greece for Egg Donation?
Athens has become a leading hub for fertility treatments, attracting patients worldwide. Several advantages make Greece an ideal destination for egg donation, including:
- Advanced fertility clinics: Athens hosts top-tier fertility centres equipped with state-of-the-art technology and highly skilled medical professionals.
- Short waiting times: Unlike some countries where donor egg availability is limited, Greece has an ample supply of donors, reducing wait times.
- Cost-effective treatment: Egg donation in Greece is more affordable compared to the UK, US, and Western European countries.
- Comprehensive legal protection: The Greek legal framework ensures donor anonymity, recipient security, and ethical treatment practices.
- Attractive destination for international patients: With its rich cultural heritage and excellent healthcare facilities, Athens provides a welcoming environment for medical tourism.
Ethical Considerations
Egg donation raises ethical questions, particularly regarding anonymity, donor compensation, and the psychological impact on all parties involved. While Greek law ensures donor confidentiality, some argue that donor-conceived children should have access to genetic information.
Additionally, while donors are compensated for expenses, Greece prohibits commercial egg donation, ensuring that the process remains altruistic. Counselling services help both donors and recipients navigate any emotional complexities that may arise.
Egg Donation in Greece as a Life-Changing Opportunity
Egg donation has transformed the lives of countless individuals facing infertility. Greece, with its structured legal system, high success rates, and excellent medical care, stands as a premier destination for those seeking donor eggs.
Parenthood is a beautiful, life-changing journey that every person deserves to embark on. We at Gyn Care IVF are here to assist and accompany you on every step of this journey. With state-of-the-art facilities, renowned medical professionals and a passion for making your wishes come true, Gyn Care IVF ensures an affordable, but qualitative experience. Gain all necessary information about IVF in Greece by contacting us via WhatsApp or E-Mail and enjoy your stay!